Method for displaying apparatus information, and display device

ABSTRACT

A display device displays device information in a navigation tree, whose nodes are each assigned to apparatus parts, apparatuses and/or apparatus groups, such that the apparatus information with a node that is superordinate both to the node which is assigned to a source of the apparatus information, and to a currently selected node.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for displaying apparatusinformation, and a display device.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It is conventional to bring together and display apparatus informationof plants in master displays. In so doing, it is customary to map aschematic representation of the monitored plant on a master display, andto display apparatus information such as status messages, commandacknowledgments, error messages and so forth on the master displayassigned to the specific part of the plant to which the apparatusinformation relates. In the case of complex plants, very large masterdisplays are used for this purpose. As a rule, these master displays arestructured by combining individual parts of the plant to form groups,subgroups and the like.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present invention simplify the technicalrequirements for monitoring and controlling a plant.

Among features of a method for displaying apparatus information in anavigation tree—the navigation tree having nodes that are interlinked bydirectional links, the directional links defining an order structurethat includes superordinate nodes and subordinate nodes for each node,the order structure defining for each node an assigned navigation pathwhich preferably contains all superordinate nodes for this node and therespective connecting links, each node being assigned an apparatus part,an apparatus or an apparatus group of a plant that in each case transmitapparatus information, and one node being displayable as selected nodewith the associated navigation path and the nodes directly subordinateto the node, on a display unit—are that one node is displayed as aselected node with the associated first navigation path and the nodesdirectly subordinate to the node on the display unit, that theassociated node is identified automatically for apparatus informationsent by an apparatus part, an apparatus or an apparatus group, that anassociated second navigation path is ascertained automatically for theidentified node, that one node in the second navigation path which ispresently displayed on the display unit is ascertained automatically,and that the apparatus information is displayed on the display unit in amanner assigned automatically to the ascertained node. Thus, a compactmaster display is able to be provided, in which it is not necessary thatevery detail of the plant be imaged at every moment. Consequently,navigation in the navigation tree is facilitated for the user by thepositioned display of this apparatus information in the navigation tree.The user is thus guided by the placement of the apparatus information.Large master displays are dispensable, and the apparatus information isnevertheless displayable in a manner properly assigned as regardscontent.

It is also considered advantageous that clarity is improved. Thus, theposition of the selected node within the plant hierarchy is easilyrecognizable.

The plant may be a production plant, a purifying plant, a sorting plant,a conveying plant, a processing plant, or any other industrial plantusing drive technology and/or having electronic measuring units, controlunits and/or regulating units.

The quantity of apparatuses of the plant may include at least driveunits, gear units, electronic control units, converters, sensor units,actuating units and/or other apparatuses preferably controllable and/orable to be monitored electronically. For instance, the apparatus partsare realizable as components of these apparatuses, e.g., control cards,electronic modules and/or mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and/orchemical modules. The apparatus groups are formable, e.g., by aninteraction, by interrelated or identical functions, by one commoninstallation site or by other associations of the apparatuses included.

The node of the second navigation path may be determined as anascertained node for which no subordinate node in the second navigationpath is displayed at the moment. This is considered advantageous becausea branching of the navigation tree relevant for the apparatusinformation may be made visible or obvious for a user by selecting thisnode.

Each node may have exactly or no more than one directly superordinatenode in the navigation path. An advantage is that a change to asuperordinate hierarchy level is achievable. This facilitatesimplementation of the method in a computer, since additional secondaryconditions are dispensable.

The navigation path may be ascertained in a manner that a directlysuperordinate node in each case is automatically searched forrecursively and noted as element of the navigation path. Thus, thenavigation path (also called hierarchical path) is able to be built upin computer-implemented fashion, thus without assistance of the user orblindly. Therefore, the navigation paths do not have to be storedseparately for each node, but rather are derivable from the navigationtree.

Upon a change of the selected node on the display unit, one node in thesecond navigation path which is presently displayed on the display unitmay again be ascertained automatically, and the apparatus informationmay be displayed on the display unit in a manner assigned automaticallyto the newly ascertained node. An advantage is that the apparatusinformation is allowed to migrate along during navigation in thenavigation tree. Therefore, the user is able to be guided with the aidof the apparatus information until the identified node is reached. Thisarrangement provide the advantage that this identified node does nothave to be displayed initially, but rather, to simplify the display, isable to be hidden without the apparatus information getting lost.

The apparatus information may be displayed on a link to a node which isdirectly superordinate to the ascertained node. Alternatively oradditionally, the apparatus information may be displayed on theascertained node. This is considered advantageous because the apparatusinformation is able to be made visible where the user is orientinghimself during navigation in the navigation tree. Therefore, space onthe display unit may be well utilized.

The navigation tree may have a start node for which no superordinatenode exists, and to which the remaining nodes in the navigation tree aresubordinate. An advantage is that a natural starting point is providedfor the navigation. Another advantage is that an end of the recursiveconstruction of the respective navigation path described is easilyrecognizable, since all navigation paths must end at the start node.

With the selected node, a read-out device is displayed for reading outapparatus parameters of the assigned apparatus part, apparatus orapparatus group. Preferably, the read-out device may include a graphicdevice, e.g., masks, windows, overlays, etc. An advantage in this caseis that instantaneous information, data and parameters of the parts ofthe plant are able to be presented in a manner assigned correctly asregards content.

Alternatively or additionally, a control device may be displayed forcontrolling the assigned apparatus part, apparatus or apparatus group.Preferably, the control device is formed by a graphic device, e.g., bycommand buttons, hyperlinks, etc. An advantage is that the controldevice is assignable to the particular intended node in an easilyrecognizable manner. This facilitates operability by untrainedpersonnel.

For each unselected node displayed, no more than two directlysubordinate or superordinate nodes are displayed. An advantage is thatbranchings in the navigation tree are able to be hidden and/or blankedfor display on the display unit. In each case, preferably only one linkis displayed at the start node, and at the node directly subordinate tothe respective selected node. Nodes directly subordinate orsuperordinate to a node are thus characterizable nodes which are linkedto the first-named node via precisely one link, without a further nodethus being located in-between.

Among features of a display device for apparatus information—having astorage device in which a navigation tree is stored, the navigation treehaving nodes that are interlinked by directional links, the directionallinks defining an order structure which characterizes superordinatenodes and subordinate nodes for each node, the order structure definingfor each node an assigned navigation path that contains allsuperordinate nodes for this node and the respective connecting links,each node being assigned an apparatus part, an apparatus or an apparatusgroup of a plant which in each case transmit apparatus information, aselection device being adapted to select one node displayed on thedisplay device and the display device being equipped to display aselected node of the navigation tree with the associated navigation pathand the nodes directly subordinate to the node—are that an informationinput is formed, via which apparatus information transmitted from theapparatus part, the apparatus or the apparatus group is receivable, thatan identification device is equipped to identify a node assigned toapparatus information received, that a navigation-path calculatingdevice is furnished to ascertain the navigation path to an identifiednode, that a node-selection device is equipped to ascertain one node inthe navigation path to the identified node, which at the same time isalso currently displayed on the display unit, and that aninformation-output device is furnished for the display of the apparatusinformation with the ascertained node on the display unit. This isconsidered advantageous because it permits a computer-implementedsupport of a location-accurate display of apparatus information. For theuser, it is therefore immediately recognizable, which part of a plant isaffected by the apparatus information. The display unit may therefore bemuch smaller than, for example, a master display. For many purposes, aPC-, or laptop-, or netbook-, or tablet PC-display is sufficient as adisplay unit. For instance, the selection device may be formed by apointing device, a touch-sensitive and/or light-sensitive display, etc.

The user may follow the virtual navigation path in the real plant andmay thus arrive easily at the source of the apparatus information. Tothat end, the method is executable on a portable computer, e.g., a smartphone, a tablet PC, a netbook or a laptop. Consequently, a navigationpath is able to be updated while the user is finding the source of theapparatus information. It is especially beneficial if the portablecomputer is set up to ascertain an instantaneous location in the realplant. An advantage is that a cross-check with a display of the selectednode and/or a display of the navigation path is achievable in automatedfashion. Thus, in automated fashion, a movement of the user toward thesource of the apparatus information is able to be imaged simultaneouslyby altering a display of the navigation path. Orientation of the user inconfusing plants is therefore able to be assisted, e.g., bycomputer-generated navigation instructions.

A node-selection device may be provided to ascertain the node in thenavigation path to the identified node, for which no subordinate node inthis navigation path is displayed at the moment. An advantage in sodoing is that the node at which the route, given by the apparatusinformation, to the identified node branches off from the currentlydisplayed path is selectable and is selected automatically.

Each node may have exactly or no more than one directly superordinatenode in the navigation tree. This is considered advantageous because therecursion method described for constructing the navigation path isachievable in computer-implemented fashion, e.g., automatically.

The navigation-path calculating device may be adapted for a recursiveautomatic ascertainment of one node directly superordinate in each caseto a node, and for noting the superordinate node as element of thenavigation path. An advantage is that a connection to a start node isascertainable automatically without a user having to intervene.Consequently, an overlap between a first navigation path currently beingdisplayed on the display unit, with a second navigation path thatbelongs to the apparatus information is able to be calculated in an easymanner.

The display device, in response to a change of the selected node on thedisplay unit, may be adapted to again automatically ascertain a node,currently displayed on the display unit, in the navigation path of theidentified node, and to display the apparatus information in a mannerassigned to the newly ascertained node. This is considered advantageousbecause it permits constant updating. Thus, the apparatus information isable to be carried along with the navigation.

The display device may be adapted to display the apparatus informationon a link to a node which is directly superordinate to the ascertainednode. Alternatively or additionally, the display device is adapted todisplay the apparatus information on the ascertained node. An advantagein this case is that the apparatus information is usable directly forguiding the user during navigation.

The navigation tree may have a start node for which no superordinatenode exists, and to which the remaining nodes in the navigation tree aresubordinate. Thus, for each node, in each case one navigation path isable to be established that ends at the start node. The case where twoestablished navigation paths have no node in common is thereforeavoidable.

The display device may be adapted for the display of a read-out devicefor reading out apparatus parameters of the assigned apparatus part,apparatus or apparatus group with the selected node. To that end, thedisplay unit is able to be furnished with a suitably equipped controldevice. This offers the advantage that a status of a part of the plantrepresented by the selected node is able to be called up and displayed.Therefore, the method is usable as sub-step in a method for the read-outof an apparatus part, an apparatus and/or an apparatus group aspractical application. Preferably, the read-out device is formed asgraphic read-out device, e.g., as masks, tables, graphics, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, the display device is adapted to displaya control device for a control of the assigned apparatus part, apparatusor apparatus group. To that end, the display unit is able to befurnished with a suitably equipped control device. An advantage is thata part of the plant represented by the selected node is operable via thedisplay device, particularly in reaction to the apparatus information.Preferably, the control device is formed as graphic control device,e.g., as masks, tables, graphics, positioning of command buttons, etc.

The navigation tree may have a start node for which no superordinatenode exists, and to which the remaining nodes in the navigation tree aresubordinate. This is considered advantageous because a reference pointis able to be furnished for the navigation tree. By reaching the startpoint, a termination criterion for a recursive construction of anavigation tree is also definable.

The display device may be adapted to display no more than two nodesdirectly subordinate or superordinate to each unselected node displayed.Preferably, the display device and especially an assigned control deviceare equipped to select the node and links to be displayed at the momentand to hide or eliminate the nodes and links not to be displayed at themoment. An advantage in so doing is that the navigation tree is easilyable to be simplified automatically for a display.

Preferably, the apparatus information is, for example, a status message,a command confirmation, an error message, an action instruction and/orother apparatus-specific information.

Advantageously, the apparatus information is displayed as marking of alink and/or a node or rather is furnished for that purpose. In thiscontext, advantageously, the associated node and/or link isautomatically displayed enlarged or is enlarged. This makes it possibleto recognize the apparatus information more easily and/or to offeradditional data, parameters and/or information.

It is especially beneficial if the method, especially as alreadydescribed and/or according to the following description, is used with adisplay device, particularly as already described and/or according tothe following description. Alternatively or additionally, the displaydevice is adapted to implement the method hereof, especially aspreviously described and/or according to the following description. Forinstance, a checking device may be provided to ascertain correspondingnodes in two or more navigation paths. Thus, it is easy to ascertainautomatically, at which node apparatus information that relates to anode in a node not completely shown, is displayable.

Example embodiments of the present invention are described in greaterdetail below with reference to the appended Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a display device according to anexample embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a representation of apparatus information in a part of anavigation tree in the case of a method according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a further representation of apparatus information inanother part of a navigation tree in the case of a method according toan example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another representation of apparatus information in a thirdpart of a navigation tree in the case of a method according to anexample embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A display device according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention, denoted as a whole by 1, is furnished to display deviceinformation 2 as follows:

According to FIG. 1, display device 1 has a storage device 3, in which anavigation tree 4 is stored and made available.

In this context, a navigation tree is understood to be a hierarchicaldata structure that is displayable, at least in cutaway portions, withthe aid of the display device. For instance, a hierarchy is able to bemapped by a direction of the links between the nodes.

For example, apparatus information 2 is an error message, a warningnote, a command confirmation or a status-change message. Apparatusinformation 2 is displayable preferably as a symbol in navigation tree4. By preference, a separate symbol is assigned to each type ofapparatus information.

Navigation tree 4 has nodes 5, 6, 7, each of which is assigned to anapparatus part, an apparatus or an apparatus group 16, here, forexample, a motor, of a plant. Navigation tree 4 also has further nodesand links which are not denoted or shown here for the sake ofsimplification.

For instance, node 5 is assigned to an apparatus group, while node 6 isassigned to an apparatus from this apparatus group and node 7 isassigned to an apparatus part of this apparatus.

Nodes 5, 6, 7 are linked to each other in pairs by links 8, 9, 10, 11.Links 8, 9, 10, 11 are directional, and by their direction, definesubordinate and superordinate notes 5, 6, 7. For instance, node 5 issuperordinate to node 6. Nodes 7, for example, are each subordinate tonode 6. On the other hand, node 6 is subordinate to node 5.

In each case exactly one superordinate node 5, 6, 7 exists for each node5, 6, 7. On the other hand, a plurality of subordinate nodes 5, 6, 7 arepossible for a node 5, 6, 7. Thus, node 6 has three subordinate nodes 7.

The succession of superordinate nodes 5, 6 to a node 7 defines anavigation path 12. Navigation path 12 is free of branchings and alwaysends at a start node 13.

A node 5, 6 superordinate to another node 7 is thus locatedhierarchically between other node 7 and start node 13.

Nodes 5, 6, 7 are selectable by a selection device 14. Selection device14 is part of an input device 21 which, to assist in the selection,makes a pointer 20 available by which it is possible to point to screencontents on display unit 15.

Preferably, input device 21 is arranged as a computer mouse, a touchpador a trackball.

After a node 6 has been selected, the situation from FIG. 2 results forexample. The display of selected node 6 on display unit 15 is shown.

Selected node 6 is displayed together with its associated navigationpath 12, as well as nodes 7 subordinate to it and respective associatedlinks 8, 10, 11. Link 9 does not belong to navigation path 12, and istherefore not shown on display unit 15.

Nodes 7 subordinate to selected node 6 are shown reduced. Thus, no nodessubordinate to these nodes 7 are displayed, even though such nodes arepossible in navigation tree 4.

A control device 27 has an information input 22, via which apparatusinformation 2 is received from the apparatus parts, apparatuses and/orapparatus groups 16. To that end, information input 22 is connectablevia a bus system to the components of the plant.

If an apparatus part, an apparatus and/or an apparatus group 16transmits apparatus information 2, it is read in via information input22. First of all, an identification device 23 identifies a node 6, whichis assigned to the apparatus part, the apparatus and/or apparatus group16.

For this identified node 6, a second navigation path is calculated thatconnects identified node 6 to start node 13. This is accomplished incomputer-implemented fashion, and thus automatically in anavigation-path calculating device 24. For identified node 6, itascertains the superordinate node, for it the in turn superordinatenode, and so forth on and on recursively until start node 13 is reached.The totality of the nodes passed through in so doing then forms thesecond navigation path.

First navigation path 12 and the second navigation path sectionallycoincide. A computer-implemented node-selection device 25 ascertains thenode for which no further node exists, that is both displayed foridentified node 6, and is part of second navigation path 12. To thisend, node-selection device 25 is equipped to ascertain the node 7 in thesecond navigation path to the identified node, for which no subordinatenode in the second navigation path is displayed at the moment.

FIG. 2 shows, for example, the situation in which first navigation path12 is shorter than the second navigation path and is containedcompletely in it. In other situations, the case occurs that firstnavigation path 12 is longer than the second navigation path andcompletely contains it. Finally, the case also occurs that the secondnavigation path branches off from first navigation path 12. Forinstance, in FIG. 1, this would be the case if the identified node werenode 6 and the selected node were the node at which link 9 ends.

In FIG. 2, the ascertained node is therefore the node 7 in whichapparatus information 2 is made visible.

Control device 27 drives an information-output device 26, by whichapparatus information 2 is output with ascertained node 7, here onassociated link 11 that ends at ascertained node 7.

If node 7, at which link 11 with apparatus information 2 ends, isselected by selection device 14, then this newly selected node 7 isdisplayed with its subordinate nodes. Previously selected node 6 isautomatically reduced to the representation in navigation path 12. Inparticular, nodes 7 subordinate to this node 6 are hidden, with theexception of selected node 7.

Since the displayed part of navigation tree 4 thus changes, the displayis updated. To that end, in node-selection device 25, a node is onceagain ascertained which lies in the second navigation path and which ispresently displayed. Node-selection device 25 ascertains this node sothat for this node, no subordinate node exists that likewise satisfiesthese conditions.

Information-output device 26 erases apparatus information 2 at thepreviously displayed location and displays it at the newly ascertainednode—in the example, again on the associated link.

In FIG. 2, a control device 19 is also illustrated that takes the formof command buttons. The associated apparatus part, the associatedapparatus and/or associated apparatus group 16 for selected node 6is/are controllable by control device 19. To that end, control device 27is connected to the apparatus part, apparatus or apparatus group 16 inquestion via a control connection, e.g., via the bus mentioned or afurther bus. Instead of control device 19 or in addition to it, in thecase of individual or all nodes, information is displayable that isspecific to the associated apparatus part, the associated apparatusand/or associated apparatus group 16. In one exemplary embodiment,control devices 19 are formed only in the case of nodes 5, 6, 7 forwhich no subordinate nodes exist.

FIG. 3 shows a further situation which is possible when working with themethod hereof. Components and functional units which are identical orsubstantially identical functionally and/or structurally to the previousfigures are denoted with the same reference numerals and are notdescribed again separately. Therefore, the explanations with regard toFIGS. 1 and 2 hold true here accordingly.

In FIG. 3, node 6 is selected which is assigned to a motor as apparatus16. This apparatus 16 has transmitted apparatus information 2, e.g., anerror message. This apparatus information 2 is displayed with node 6 inthe manner already described.

In addition, using a read-out device 17, e.g., a mask, apparatusparameters 18 and other apparatus data of apparatus 16 (or of theapparatus part or apparatus group) are displayed.

Therefore, the user is immediately permitted an overview of possiblecauses for apparatus information 2 and/or of its significance.

It is also shown in FIG. 3 that not all branchings are blanked or hiddenin navigation path 12. As of a certain hierarchical level, this is nolonger necessary.

FIG. 4 shows a further situation which is possible when working with themethod hereof. Components and functional units which are identical orsubstantially identical functionally and/or structurally to the previousfigures are denoted with the same reference numerals and are notdescribed again separately. Therefore, the explanations with regard toFIGS. 1 through 3 hold true here accordingly.

In FIG. 4, selected node 6 has so many subordinate nodes 7 (herethirty-four, illustratively) that these nodes 7 are displayable only ina concise, very reduced and downsized display form.

A node 7 with which apparatus information 2 is displayed is againascertained in the manner described.

The exemplary embodiment differs from the previous exemplary embodimentsin that, in addition to the display of apparatus information 2, node 7is displayed enlarged compared to the remaining nodes subordinate tonode 6. Information-output device 26 or another part of control device27 brings this about automatically at the same time.

In the case of display device 1, it is provided to display deviceinformation 2 in a navigation tree 4, whose nodes 5, 6, 7, 13 are eachassigned to apparatus parts, apparatuses and/or apparatus groups 16,such that apparatus information 2 with a node that is superordinate bothwith respect to the node which is assigned to a source of apparatusinformation 2, and with respect to a currently selected node 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 display device-   2 apparatus information-   3 storage device-   4 navigation tree-   5, 6, 7 node-   8, 9, 10, 11 links-   12 navigation path-   13 start node-   14 selection device-   15 display unit-   16 apparatus group, apparatus, apparatus part-   17 read-out device-   18 apparatus parameter-   19 control device-   20 pointer-   21 input device-   22 information input-   23 identification device-   24 navigation-path calculating device-   25 node-selection device-   26 information-output device-   27 control device

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for displaying apparatusinformation in a navigation tree, the navigation tree having nodes thatare interlinked by directional links, the directional links defining ahierarchical order structure that includes a plurality of nodesincluding a start node having no superordinate nodes, all nodes otherthan the start node having a superordinate node and being subordinate tothe start node, the hierarchical order structure defining for each nodean assigned navigation path that includes all superordinate nodes forthe node and respective connecting links, each node being assigned anapparatus part, an apparatus, or an apparatus group of a plant that ineach case transmits apparatus information, comprising: displaying a nodeas a selected node with an associated navigation path and nodes directlysubordinate to the node, on a display unit, wherein one node isdisplayed as the selected node with an associated first navigation pathand nodes directly subordinate to the node on the display unit;automatically identifying an associated node for apparatus informationsent by an apparatus part, an apparatus, or an apparatus group;automatically ascertaining and displaying an associated secondnavigation path for the identified node by recursively searching foreach directly superordinate node between the identified node and thestart node, one node in the second navigation path that is presentlydisplayed on the display unit being ascertained automatically; anddisplaying the apparatus information on the display unit in a mannerassigned automatically to the ascertained node.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the node of the second navigation path is determinedas an ascertained node for which no subordinate node in the secondnavigation path is currently displayed, and/or each node has exactly orno more than one directly superordinate node in the navigation tree. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the navigation path isascertained in a manner that a directly superordinate node in each caseis automatically searched for recursively and noted as an element of thenavigation path, and/or upon a change of the selected node on thedisplay unit, one node in the second navigation path that is currentlydisplayed on the display unit is again ascertained automatically, andthe apparatus information is displayed on the display unit in a mannerassigned automatically to the newly ascertained node.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information is displayed ona link to a node that is directly superordinate to the ascertained node,and/or on the ascertained node, and/or the navigation tree has a startnode for which no superordinate node exists and to which the remainingnodes of the navigation tree are subordinate.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein with the selected node, a graphic read-out deviceadapted to read out apparatus parameters of the assigned apparatus part,apparatus, or apparatus group and/or a graphic control device adapted tocontrol the assigned apparatus part, apparatus, or apparatus group aredisplayed, and/or for each unselected node displayed, no more than twodirectly subordinate or superordinate nodes are displayed.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein each node other than the start nodeincludes a single directly superordinate node.
 7. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein each node other than the start node includes notmore than one directly superordinate node.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein not more than two directly subordinate or superordinatenodes are displayed for each unselected node displayed.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a portablecomputer, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a netbook, and/or a laptop. 10.The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus informationincludes a status message, a command confirmation, an error message, anaction instruction and/or apparatus-specific information.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information is displayed asa symbol in the navigation tree.